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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC 4.0Tropical Medicine & International Health

Implementability of Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound for Paediatric Tuberculosis Diagnosis in Resource‐Constrained Settings: Experiences and Perspectives From Uganda

  • Julia van den Brink1
  • Martien Humblet1
  • Emmanuel Nasinghe2,3
  • Grace Paul Kisitu3,4
  • Emmanual Tenywa5
  • Rinn Song6
  • Nora Engel7
  • Francesca Wanda Basile6
  • Else Margreet Bijker1,6
7 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Paediatrics Maastricht University Medical Centre, MosaKids Children's Hospital Maastricht the Netherlands
  2. 2Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Health Sciences Makerere University Kampala Uganda
  3. 3Integrated Biorepository of the H3Africa Uganda Kampala Uganda
  4. 4Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation‐Uganda Kampala Uganda
  5. 5Department of Paediatrics and Child Health Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Jinja Uganda
  6. 6Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics University of Oxford Oxford UK
  7. 7Athena Institute, Faculty of Science Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Amsterdam the Netherlands
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Abstract

Introduction: Childhood tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, with a substantial number of cases going undiagnosed, particularly among children under five. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to reduce TB‐associated morbidity and mortality. Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound (POCUS) represents a promising technology that could enhance TB diagnosis, especially in resource‐constrained settings. This qualitative study assessed the acceptability and feasibility of POCUS implementation in the TB diagnostic evaluation in children under 5 years of age in Uganda, by exploring the perspectives and experiences of local healthcare professionals.

Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with clinicians at two different sites and stakeholders involved in paediatric TB policy and programmes in Uganda. Interviews focused on exploring participants' perspectives on the acceptability and feasibility of POCUS implementation for diagnosing paediatric TB. Thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data, aiming to identify key themes related to POCUS implementation in the local healthcare context.

Results: Participants highlighted POCUS as a potentially valuable tool for improving paediatric TB diagnosis, as it enables immediate imaging and interpretation, bypassing the delays and accessibility barriers associated with X‐rays. Potential barriers identified for large‐scale implementation include limited diagnostic accuracy, usability, lack of equitable access, need for capacity building and durability of POCUS devices.

Conclusion: This study underscores the potential role of POCUS in the management of children with presumed TB in resource‐constrained settings like Uganda. Addressing identified barriers through targeted interventions and further research will be essential for the successful implementation of POCUS in local healthcare practices.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{brink2026implementability,
  title = {{Implementability of Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound for Paediatric Tuberculosis Diagnosis in Resource‐Constrained Settings: Experiences and Perspectives From Uganda}},
  author = {Julia van den Brink and Martien Humblet and Emmanuel Nasinghe and Grace Paul Kisitu and Emmanual Tenywa and Rinn Song and Nora Engel and Francesca Wanda Basile and Else Margreet Bijker},
  journal = {Tropical Medicine \& International Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1111/tmi.70210},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.70210},
  note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Implementability of Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound for Paediatric Tuberculosis Diagnosis in Resource‐Constrained Settings: Experiences and Perspectives From Uganda
AU  - Julia van den Brink
AU  - Martien Humblet
AU  - Emmanuel Nasinghe
AU  - Grace Paul Kisitu
AU  - Emmanual Tenywa
AU  - Rinn Song
AU  - Nora Engel
AU  - Francesca Wanda Basile
AU  - Else Margreet Bijker
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/29
JO  - Tropical Medicine & International Health
DO  - 10.1111/tmi.70210
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.70210
AB  - Introduction: Childhood tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, with a substantial number of cases going undiagnosed, particularly among children under five. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to reduce TB‐associated morbidity and mortality. Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound (POCUS) represents a promising technology that could enhance TB diagnosis, especially in resource‐constrained settings. This qualitative study assessed the acceptability and feasibility of POCUS implementation in the TB diagnostic evaluation in children under 5 years of age in Uganda, by exploring the perspectives and experiences of local healthcare professionals.  Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with clinicians at two different sites and stakeholders involved in paediatric TB policy and programmes in Uganda. Interviews focused on exploring participants' perspectives on the acceptability and feasibility of POCUS implementation for diagnosing paediatric TB. Thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data, aiming to identify key themes related to POCUS implementation in the local healthcare context.  Results: Participants highlighted POCUS as a potentially valuable tool for improving paediatric TB diagnosis, as it enables immediate imaging and interpretation, bypassing the delays and accessibility barriers associated with X‐rays. Potential barriers identified for large‐scale implementation include limited diagnostic accuracy, usability, lack of equitable access, need for capacity building and durability of POCUS devices.  Conclusion: This study underscores the potential role of POCUS in the management of children with presumed TB in resource‐constrained settings like Uganda. Addressing identified barriers through targeted interventions and further research will be essential for the successful implementation of POCUS in local healthcare practices.
SN  - 1360-2276
SN  - 1365-3156
ER  -